Secondary battery pack based on mechanical connection manner

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a battery pack constructed in a structure in which a plurality of secondary battery cells are electrically connected to one another via a connection member while the secondary battery cells are mounted in a receiving part of a pack case having no partition, wherein the connection member is located between the battery cells arranged in the longitudinal direction or in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, the connection member is connected, in a mechanical coupling manner, to a lower electrode terminal of the front battery cell in the longitudinal direction and/or to an upper electrode terminal of the rear battery cell in the longitudinal direction, and the connection member is elastically pressed while the connection member is located between the battery cells.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a secondary battery pack based on amechanical connection manner, and, more particularly, to a battery packconstructed in a structure in which a plurality of secondary batterycells are electrically connected to one another via a connection memberwhile the secondary battery cells are mounted in a receiving part of apack case having no partition, wherein the connection member is locatedbetween the battery cells arranged in the longitudinal direction or inboth the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, theconnection member is connected, in a mechanical coupling manner, to alower electrode terminal of the front battery cell in the longitudinaldirection and/or to an upper electrode terminal of the rear battery cellin the longitudinal direction, and the connection member is elasticallypressed while the connection member is located between the batterycells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As mobile devices have been increasingly developed, and the demand ofsuch mobile devices has increased, the demand of secondary batteries hasalso sharply increased as an energy source for the mobile devices.

Depending upon kinds of external devices in which the secondarybatteries are used, the secondary batteries may be used in the form of asingle battery or in the form of a battery pack having a plurality ofunit cells electrically connected to one another. For example,small-sized devices, such as mobile phones, can be operated for apredetermined period of time with the power and the capacity of onebattery. On the other hand, a secondary battery pack needs to be used inmiddle- or large-sized devices, such as laptop computers, portabledigital versatile disc (DVD) players, small-sized personal computers(PCs), electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles, because highpower and large capacity are necessary for the middle- or large-sizeddevices.

The secondary battery pack is manufactured by connecting a protectioncircuit to a core pack having a plurality of unit cells connected inseries and/or in parallel to one another. When prismatic batteries orpouch-shaped batteries are used as the unit cells, the prismaticbatteries or the pouch-shaped batteries are stacked such thatlarge-sized surfaces of the prismatic batteries or the pouch-shapedbatteries face each other, and then electrode terminals of the prismaticbatteries or the pouch-shaped batteries are connected to one another byconnection members, such as bus bars. Consequently, when athree-dimensional secondary battery pack having a hexahedral structureis to be manufactured, the prismatic batteries or the pouch-shapedbatteries are preferably used as unit cells of the secondary batterypack.

On the other hand, cylindrical batteries generally have electriccapacities larger than the prismatic batteries or the pouch-shapedbatteries. However, it is difficult to arrange the cylindrical batteriesin a stacked structure due to the external shape of the cylindricalbatteries. When the secondary battery pack is constructed generally in aline-type structure or in a plane-type structure, though, thecylindrical batteries are structurally more advantageous than theprismatic batteries or the pouch-shaped batteries.

Consequently, a secondary battery pack having a plurality of cylindricalbatteries connected in series to or in parallel and series to oneanother is widely used in laptop computers, portable DVD players, andportable PCs. The secondary battery pack may be constructed in variouscore pack structures. For example, the core pack of the secondarybattery pack may be generally constructed in a 2P(parallel)-3S(series)line-type structure, a 2P-3S plane-type structure, a 2P-4S line-typestructure, a 2P-4S plane-type structure, a 1P-3S line-type structure, ora 1P-3S plane-type structure.

The parallel connection structure is achieved by adjacently arrangingtwo or more cylindrical batteries in the lateral direction thereof,while electrode terminals of the cylindrical batteries are oriented inthe same direction, and connecting the electrode terminals of thecylindrical batteries to one another using connection members bywelding. The cylindrical batteries connected in parallel to one othermay be referred to as a “bank.”

The series connection structure is accomplished by arranging two or morecylindrical batteries in the longitudinal direction thereof such thatelectrode terminals of the cylindrical batteries having oppositepolarities are successively disposed one after another, or adjacentlyarranging two or more cylindrical batteries in the lateral directionthereof, while electrode terminals of the cylindrical batteries areoriented in opposite directions, and connecting the electrode terminalsof the cylindrical batteries to one another using connection members bywelding.

The electrical connection between the cylindrical batteries is generallyachieved by spot welding using thin connection members, such as metalplates (for example, nickel plates).

FIG. 1 typically illustrates a secondary battery pack constructed in a2P-3S plane-type structure in which batteries are electrically connectedto one another by spot welding. For easy understanding, the couplingbetween the batteries constituting the secondary battery pack of the2P-3S plane-type structure is shown in an exploded view.

As shown in FIG. 1, three pairs of batteries 20 and 21, connected inparallel to each other for each pair, are connected in series to oneanother via metal plates 30 to constitute a core pack 10.

FIG. 2 is a typical view illustrating a secondary battery pack 50 afterthe assembly of the secondary battery pack 50 is completed. Forconvenience of description, a pack case is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the respective batteries 20 and 21 are connected toa protection circuit module 90 via a cathode conducting wire 60 and ananode conducting wire 70 connected to the metal plates 30 and flexibleprinted circuit boards (FPCB) 80 connected to the conducting wires. Theelectrical connection between the metal plates 30 and the protectioncircuit module 90 is mostly achieved by soldering.

Generally, the secondary battery pack is repeatedly charged anddischarged during the use of the secondary battery pack, and thesecondary battery pack uses lithium secondary battery, which exhibitslow safety in abnormal conditions, such as external impact, dropping,penetration of a needle-shaped body, overcharge, overcurrent, etc., as aunit cell. In order to solve such a safety-related problem, therefore, asafety element, such as a protection circuit module, is included in thesecondary battery pack. The safety element acquires information, such asvoltage, at a corresponding terminal connection region of the secondarybattery pack to perform a predetermined safety process, thereby securingthe safety of the secondary battery pack. Consequently, when theconnection state of the corresponding region is variable, for example,the resistance value of the terminal connection region changes due tovibration, the detected information is inaccurate, and therefore, thesafety element cannot perform the desired process. For this reason, theelectrical connection between the battery cells and the protectioncircuit in the secondary battery pack is generally achieved bysoldering.

Also, it is necessary to connect a plurality of battery cells in seriesor in parallel to one another to constitute a high-power, large-capacitysecondary battery pack. In addition, a stable coupling method that iscapable of minimizing the resistance change of the terminal connectionregion is required to uniformly maintain the efficiency of the secondarybattery pack. Generally, the electrical connection between the batterycells is achieved by soldering or welding, preferably spot welding.

However, the welding or soldering process between the battery cells hasthe following problems. Specifically, the welding or soldering processrequires worker's skilled technique and know-how. In addition, thecontrol of parameters necessary to decide the intensity of welding mustbe continuously performed. As a result, the production process iscomplicated, and the production costs increase, whereby the productionefficiency lowers. Also, a short circuit may occur at the welded region,due to the vibration generated from the battery pack or external impactapplied to the battery pack, at the time of directly welding orsoldering the battery cells. In addition, electrical or thermal damagemay be caused between the battery cells and the connection members,whereby the safety of the batteries is threatened, and the defectiveproduct rate increases. Furthermore, when some of the battery cellsbecome defective, during the manufacturing or use of the battery cells,all the battery cells constituting the battery pack must be discarded.

Consequently, there is a high necessity for a technology that is capableof substituting for the connection method based on such welding orsoldering, which threatens the safety of the batteries and requires acomplicated working process, and, at the same time, reusing theremaining battery cells, although some of the battery cells aredefective, while stably securing the connection structure between thebattery cells.

Meanwhile, for a battery pack using primary batteries, various attemptshave been made to achieve the electrical connection between therespective batteries. For example, Korean Patent No. 0413381 discloses atechnology for forming conductive coils at opposite ends of batterycases to electrically connect batteries to one another. U.S. Pat. No.525,037 discloses a technology for mounting metal plates, which are bentto exhibit elasticity, at opposite ends of batteries to achieveelectrical connection between the respective batteries.

However, the above-mentioned technologies have a problem in that it isrequired for connection members to exhibit elasticity enough to fix thebattery cells and stably connect electrode terminals to one another, andtherefore, connection members exhibiting low elasticity are limited inuse. Especially, the technology using the conduction coils has problemsin that the sectional area of a wire constituting each coil is small,and the connection length of the wire is relatively large, whereby theelectrical resistance increases. The increase of the electricalresistance causes power loss and increases the amount of heat generated,whereby the stable connection between the batteries may be obstructed.On the other hand, for the technology using the metal plates that arebent to have elasticity, the metal plates may lose their elasticity orbreak when an excessive force is applied to the metal plates at the timeof inserting the battery cells into the pack case, or when the metalplates are repeatedly used, with the result that, when external impactis applied to the battery cells, the battery cells may be separated fromthe pack case or the electrical connection between the battery cells maybe cut off.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned connection member is limited to applyto the previously described secondary battery pack due to the variableconnection state at the corresponding region.

Also, in order to achieve the electric connection between the batterycells in a mechanical contact manner, without using welding orsoldering, it is required that partitions necessary to mount theconnection members to the pack case be located between the batterycells, as in the conventional arts. However, the provision of thepartitions increases the size of the battery pack, which is far from thelatest tendency to pursue the reduction in size, weight, and thickness.

In connection with this aspect, a method may be considered of mountingmechanical contact type connection members between the battery cells ata very high elastic pressing force in a structure having no partitions.In this method, however, a material, such as polymer resin, for the packcase is slowly deformed by stress during the use of the pack case for along period of time, which is called a creep phenomenon. Consequently,excessively high elastic pressing force of the connection members causesthe occurrence of stress at the pack case, which leads to the creepphenomenon. As a result, the distance between the battery cellsgradually increases, and therefore, the electrical connection betweenthe battery cells is unstable. This phenomenon may be serious especiallyfor a device of which the long-term use is required. Consequently, theconnection method based on the primary batteries cannot be applied to abattery pack, based on secondary batteries, of which the long-term useis required through repeated charge and discharge, without anymodification.

Consequently, there is a high necessity for a battery pack that iscapable of substituting for the connection method based on such weldingor soldering, which threatens the safety of the batteries and requires acomplicated working process, not causing the increase in size of thebattery pack, and stably securing the connection structure between thebattery cells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the aboveproblems, and other technical problems that have yet to be resolved.

Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide aconnection member that is capable of stably achieving the electricalconnection between two or more secondary battery cells withoutperforming a soldering or welding process and constructed in a specificstructure in which the electrical connection thereof is possible, anassembly process is easily performed, and the connection member isfreely attached and detached as needed, and a secondary battery packincluding the same.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a connectionmember that does not cause the increase in size of a battery pack andthat is capable of stably maintaining the connection between the batterycells even when in use for a long period of time, and a secondarybattery pack including the same.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above andother objects can be accomplished by the provision of a battery packconstructed in a structure in which a plurality of secondary batterycells are electrically connected to one another via a connection memberwhile the secondary battery cells are mounted in a receiving part of apack case having no partition, wherein the connection member is locatedbetween the battery cells arranged in the longitudinal direction or inboth the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, theconnection member is connected, in a mechanical coupling manner, to alower electrode terminal of the front battery cell in the longitudinaldirection and/or to an upper electrode terminal of the rear battery cellin the longitudinal direction, and the connection member is elasticallypressed while the connection member is located between the batterycells.

The battery pack according to the present invention does not require anypartition when the connection member is mounted between the batterycells. Consequently, the size of the battery pack is not increasedalthough the connection member is connected to the electrode terminalsof the battery cells without using welding or soldering.

Also, the connection member is elastically connected to the electrodeterminals of the battery cells while being somewhat pressed, andtherefore, the change in resistance at the connection regions does notdeviate from a desired degree of reliability although external impact isapplied to the battery pack. That is, the above-described structureenables a control member, such as a battery management unit (BMU), toaccurately detect the temperature and voltage of the battery cells,whereby it is possible to secure the normal operation of the battery.

On the other hand, the above-described elastically pressed state is notlarge enough to cause a creep phenomenon of the pack case as previouslydescribed. That is, the connection member is at least partiallyconnected to the electrode terminals of the battery cells in amechanical coupling manner, and therefore, it is not necessary to mountthe connection member on the battery cells with a very high elasticpressing force.

Also, the battery pack according to the present invention is constructedin a structure in which it is possible to easily perform a battery packassembly process and to achieve stable coupling between the electrodeterminals of the battery cells. Furthermore, when some of the batterycells are defective during the assembly or the use of the battery pack,the battery cells may be easily separated from each other, with theresult that it is possible to solve a problem in that all the batterycells constituting the battery pack will be discarded due to thedefectiveness of some battery cells or the connection member.

In a preferred embodiment, the connection member is connected to theelectrode terminal of one battery cell in the mechanical coupling mannerand is connected to the electrode terminal of the other battery cell ina physical contact manner.

A general battery cell is constructed in a structure in which one sideelectrode terminal protrudes but the other side electrode terminal doesnot protrude. Consequently, it is possible for the connection member tobe connected, for example, to a protruding electrode terminal of abattery cell (a) in the mechanical coupling manner and to anon-protruding electrode terminal of another battery cell (b) in thephysical contact manner.

As a concrete example, the connection member may be connected to acathode terminal of the one battery cell in the mechanical couplingmanner and may be connected to an anode terminal of the other batterycell in the physical contact manner.

In the specification, the expression “the connection in the mechanicalcoupling manner” means that the connection member is coupled to theelectrode terminals in the mechanical coupling manner, and theexpression “the connection in the physical contact manner” means thatthe connection member is in contact with the electrode terminals not inthe mechanical coupling manner.

Consequently, in the battery pack in which the battery cells arearranged in the longitudinal direction, when one side of the connectionmember is connected to a lower electrode terminal of a front batterycell or an upper electrode terminal of a rear battery cell in themechanical coupling manner, and the other side of the connection memberis connected to a corresponding electrode terminal of the other batterycell in the physical contact manner, it is possible to stably maintain acoupling force between the electrode terminals of the battery cells,and, at the same time, to easily couple and separate between the batterypack and the battery cells.

Meanwhile, a general cylindrical battery, used as a unit cell of thebattery pack, is constructed in a structure in which a cathode terminalof the battery cell is formed in a protruding shape to allow easymechanical coupling between the cathode terminal of the battery cell andthe connection member. Consequently, in a battery pack including batterycells each having such a protruding cathode terminal, it is preferredfor the connection to be connected to a cathode terminal of one batterycell in the mechanical coupling manner and to be connected to an anodeterminal of the other battery cell in the physical contact manner.

The connection member may have various structures and shapes in whichthe connection member is connected to the electrode terminals of thebattery cells in the mechanical coupling manner.

For example, the connection member may include a coupling partconfigured to be variably coupled to a gas discharge port or a couplingopening formed at the cathode terminal of the battery cell. The gasdischarge port or the coupling opening may be generally formed at theoutside of the cathode terminal of the battery cell.

Generally, the gas discharge port may be formed at the circumference ofthe electrode terminal of the battery cell to discharge high-pressuregas, generated when the battery cell is abnormal, out of the batterycell. Consequently, the gas discharge port may be utilized as a couplingregion.

Alternatively, the coupling opening, not the gas discharge port, may beformed at the outside of the cathode terminal as needed. The couplingopening may be formed at the central region of the electrode terminal toachieve easy coupling between the cathode terminal and the connectionmember. The coupling opening is constructed in a structure in which thecoupling opening can be variably coupled to the coupling part of theconnection member, with the result that it is possible to easily andsimply achieve the coupling between the cathode terminal and theconnection member, and, at the same time, to further increase thecoupling force between the cathode terminal and the connection member.

The coupling part of the connection member is constructed in a structurein which the coupling part can be easily coupled to or separated fromthe gas discharge port or the coupling opening of the electrodeterminal. Preferably, the coupling part elastically protrudes from amain body of the connection member.

In a preferred embodiment, the connection member includes one or moreauxiliary connection parts connected to the electrode terminal(s) of oneor both battery cells while being elastically pressed at a region(s)where the one or more auxiliary connection parts are connected in aphysical contact manner. The auxiliary connection parts further increasethe elastic force of the connection member. In addition, the auxiliaryconnection parts maintain the connection structure, and thus prevent theoccurrence of an instantaneous short circuit of the electrode terminal,when an external force, such as vibration or bending, is applied to thebattery pack. When the number of the auxiliary connection parts is twoor more, the above-mentioned effects are more stably secured.

The connection member is more preferably used for a cylindrical batterycell constructed in a structure in which a cathode terminal protrudesfrom one end of the cylindrical battery cell, and an entire battery caseconstitutes an anode terminal in a state in which the battery case isisolated from the cathode terminal.

Also, the battery pack according to the present invention may be usedas, but is not limited to, a power source for household electricappliances, such as portable DVD players and small-sized PCs.

More preferably, the battery pack according to the present invention isused as a power source for laptop computers. Consequently, the presentinvention provides a laptop computer including the battery pack as apower source.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a connection member for electrically connecting a plurality ofsecondary battery cells, wherein the connection member is locatedbetween the battery cells arranged in the longitudinal direction or inboth the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, theconnection member is connected, in a mechanical coupling manner, to alower electrode terminal of the front battery cell in the longitudinaldirection or to an upper electrode terminal of the rear battery cell inthe longitudinal direction, and the connection member is elasticallypressed while the connection member is located between the batterycells.

Since the connection member according to the present invention isconstructed in a structure in which the connection member is connectedto the battery cells in the mechanical coupling manner and iselastically pressed while being mounted between the battery cells, it ispossible to easily perform the assembling process and to provide astable coupling force between the electrode terminals of the batterycells.

Hereinafter, several concrete examples of the connection member will bedescribed.

In a first embodiment, the connection member comprises a terminalconnection unit for connecting the battery cells arranged in thelongitudinal direction in series to each other, and the terminalconnection unit comprises: (a) an outer circumferential connection partconfigured to correspond to the external shape of an electrode terminalof a lower battery cell, the outer circumferential connection partcontacting the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell at a regionadjacent to the outer circumference of the electrode terminal, the outercircumferential connection part having a predetermined width; (b) upwardprotruding parts tapered upward from the outer circumferentialconnection part toward a central axis of the terminal connection unitfor elastically supporting the lower battery cell; and (c) protrudingcoupling parts connected to the respective upward protruding parts in abridge structure, the protruding coupling parts protruding such that theprotruding coupling parts can be elastically coupled to a predeterminedregion of the upper battery cell.

In a battery pack constructed in a structure in which a plurality ofbattery cells arranged in the longitudinal direction in seriesconnection to each other are mounted in a pack case, it is possible forthe connection member to easily electrically connect electrode terminalsof the battery cells in a mechanical contact manner.

Preferably, the terminal connection unit further comprises a pluralityof auxiliary connection parts tapered downward and/or upward from theinside of the outer circumferential connection part.

The auxiliary connection parts further increase the elastic force of theconnection member and prevent the occurrence of an instantaneous shortcircuit of the electrode terminal, when an external force, such asvibration or bending, is applied to the battery pack.

Each upward-tapered auxiliary connection part is constructed in astructure in which the end of each upward-tapered auxiliary connectionpart is inclined toward the central axis of the connection member to aheight higher than that of the outer circumferential connection part.The auxiliary connection parts extending upward to the height higherthan that of the outer circumferential connection part can elasticallysupport the upward protruding parts while the connection member is incontact with the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell. Also, theupward-tapered auxiliary connection parts remain connected to theelectrode terminal of the upper battery cell. Consequently, theupward-tapered auxiliary connection parts prevent the occurrence of aninstantaneous short circuit due to the unstable connection state when anexternal force is applied to the battery pack, as previously described.Furthermore, when the number of the upward-tapered auxiliary connectionparts is two or more, the above-mentioned effects are more stablyprovided.

On the other hand, each downward-tapered auxiliary connection part isconstructed in a structure in which the end of each downward-taperedauxiliary connection part is inclined toward the central axis of theconnection member to a height lower than that of the outercircumferential connection part to obtain the above-mentioned effects.

In this case, the upward-tapered auxiliary connection parts may contactthe electrode terminal of the upper battery cell (a), and thedownward-tapered auxiliary connection parts may contact the electrodeterminal of the lower battery cell (b).

In a second embodiment, the connection member comprises a terminalconnection unit for connecting the battery cells arranged in thelongitudinal direction in series to each other, a coupling opening beingformed in at least one electrode terminal of the battery cells, and theterminal connection unit comprises: (a) an outer circumferentialconnection part configured to correspond to the external shape of anelectrode terminal of a lower battery cell, the outer circumferentialconnection part contacting the electrode terminal of the lower batterycell at a region adjacent to the outer circumference of the electrodeterminal, the outer circumferential connection part having apredetermined width; (b) upward protruding parts tapered upward from theouter circumferential connection part toward a central axis of theterminal connection unit for elastically supporting the lower batterycell; and (c) coupling parts formed on the respective upward protrudingparts such that the coupling parts can be elastically coupled into thecoupling opening formed in the at least one electrode terminal of thebattery cells.

Consequently, the connection member forms the stable connectionstructure for electrical connection only through the coupling betweenthe connection member and the electrode terminals of the battery cells,and therefore, the change in resistance at the connection regions doesnot deviate from a desired degree of reliability although externalimpact is applied to the battery pack. At the same time, it is possibleto easily perform a battery pack assembly process and to achieve stablecoupling between the electrode terminals of the battery cells.

Also, the coupling opening is formed in the corresponding electrodeterminal of the battery cell such that the connection member can bemounted to the corresponding electrode terminal of the battery cellthrough the coupling opening. Consequently, applicable structures orshapes of the connection member may be further diversified, and theconnection member may be constructed in a simpler structure.

For example, the connection member may be constructed in a structure inwhich the battery cell includes a protruding cathode terminal, and aplurality of gas discharge ports are formed at the protruding parts ofthe cathode terminal in the circumferential direction of the cathodeterminal, and the coupling opening is formed at the central region ofthe cathode terminal.

The coupling opening, which is configured to be coupled to theconnection member, is easily formed at the protruding cathode terminal,and therefore, the coupling opening can be easily applied to acylindrical battery including such a protruding cathode terminal. Also,the plurality of the gas discharge ports, which are arranged about thecoupling opening located at the central region of the electrode terminalin the circumferential direction thereof, effectively dischargehigh-pressure gas in the battery cell, as previously described, therebysecuring the safety of the battery cell.

However, the coupling opening is coupled to the connection member in themechanical coupling manner, with the result that the coupling opening isnot completely sealed by the connection member. Consequently, thecoupling opening may also function as the gas discharge port. In thisstructure, no gas discharge port may be formed at the protruding part ofthe cathode terminal. This structure must be interpreted to be includedin the scope of the prevent invention.

The coupling opening may be constructed in various structures or shapes.For example, the coupling opening may be constructed in a cross-shapedstructure in which two slits having long and short sides are formed atthe central region of the outer circumference of the electrode terminalof the battery cell, on the plane of the electrode terminal of thebattery cell, such that the two slits intersect at right angles.

Consequently, it is possible to easily couple battery cells to eachother using a connection member including a coupling part formed in ashape corresponding to that of the long side. The coupling part of theconnection member is inserted through the long side of the couplingopening, and is then rotated to a position where the coupling part ofthe connection member becomes parallel to the short side of the couplingopening, thereby achieving the elastic coupling between the connectionmember and the corresponding battery cell. Consequently, it is possibleto simply and easily achieve the coupling between the connection memberand the corresponding battery cell and, at the same time, the electricalconnection between the connection member and the corresponding batterycell.

As another example, the coupling opening may be constructed in astructure in which two arc-shaped slits are disposed about the centralaxis of the electrode terminal in a symmetrical fashion.

The coupling parts, of the connection member, horizontally bent in thelongitudinal direction of the slits such that the coupling parts areconstructed approximately in the vertical sectional shape of

are inserted into the two arc-shaped slits disposed in a symmetricalfashion, and are then rotated such that the horizontally bent portionsof the

shaped coupling parts are elastically connected to the lower end of theelectrode terminal having no slits, whereby the stable coupling betweenthe connection member and the battery cell is achieved.

The coupling parts may be bent such that ends of the coupling partsprotrude upward. In this structure, the coupling parts can be easilyinserted into the coupling opening of the battery cell, therebyachieving the electrical connection between the connection member andthe battery cell.

Preferably, the coupling parts extend from the respective upperprotruding parts, such that the coupling parts are disposed in asymmetrical fashion, whereby more elastic coupling between the couplingparts and the coupling opening of the corresponding battery cell isachieved.

The upward protruding parts extend from the upper inside and the lowerinside of the outer circumferential connection part such that the upwardprotruding parts are tapered upward from the outer circumferentialconnection part toward the central axis of the connection member.Consequently, the upward protruding parts can be easily inserted intopredetermined regions formed at the electrode terminal of the batterycell, and the outer circumferential connection part can elasticallycontact the lower battery cell.

The terminal connection unit may further comprise a plurality ofauxiliary connection parts tapered downward and/or upward from theinside of the outer circumferential connection part.

In a third embodiment, the connection member comprises a terminalconnection unit for connecting the battery cells arranged in thelongitudinal direction in series to each other, and the terminalconnection unit comprises: (a) an outer circumferential connection partconfigured to correspond to the external shape of an electrode terminalof a lower battery cell, the outer circumferential connection partcontacting the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell at a regionadjacent to the outer circumference of the electrode terminal, the outercircumferential connection part having a predetermined width; (b) upwardprotruding parts tapered upward from the outer circumferentialconnection part toward a central axis of the terminal connection unitfor elastically supporting the lower battery cell; and (c) protrudingcoupling parts protruding from the respective upward protruding parts toa predetermined height such that the protruding coupling parts can becoupled to an electrode terminal of an upper battery cell.

Consequently, as previously described, the connection member accordingto the present invention does not need a welding or soldering processfor electrical connection between the electrode terminals of the batterycells. The connection between the battery cells is stably maintainedonly by the coupling of the assembly type connection member to thebattery cells. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence ofshort circuits of the battery cells, which may be caused duringsoldering or welding. Also, the change in resistance at the connectionregions does not deviate from a desired degree of reliability althoughexternal impact is applied to the battery pack. At the same time, it ispossible to easily perform a battery pack assembly process and toachieve stable coupling between the electrode terminals of the batterycells.

The terminal connection unit may further comprise a central connectionpart disposed on the central axis of the terminal connection unit suchthat the central connection part is depressed to a predetermined depthfrom the protruding coupling parts, the central connection partcontacting the electrode terminal of the upper battery cell.

The shape of the protruding coupling parts is not particularlyrestricted so long as the protruding coupling parts are easily coupledto the predetermined regions of the electrode terminal of the batterycell. For example, the protruding coupling parts may be constructed in astructure in which two or more bridges connecting the upward protrudingparts and the central connection part are arranged in a symmetricalfashion, thereby providing a high coupling force through the protrudingcoupling parts constructed generally in the more elastic structure.

As an example, the protruding coupling parts may be formed approximatelyin the vertical sectional shape of “∩” to be easily inserted into thepredetermined regions of the electrode terminal of the battery cell. Inthis case, a process for coupling the protruding coupling parts to thepredetermined regions of the electrode terminal of the battery cell ismore easily carried out. After the coupling between the protrudingcoupling parts and the predetermined regions of the electrode terminalof the battery cell, the protruding coupling parts do not easilyseparate from the predetermined regions of the electrode terminal of thebattery cell even due to external vibration. According to circumstances,each protruding coupling part may be provided at one side thereof with acoupling protrusion, which protrudes toward the central axis of eachterminal connection unit, to further increase the coupling between theprotruding coupling parts and the predetermined regions of the electrodeterminal of the battery cell.

The coupling protrusion may be constructed in various structures. Forexample, the coupling protrusion may be constructed in a structure inwhich the inner end of each protruding coupling part is bent toward thecorresponding auxiliary connection part, or the coupling protrusion mayprotrude from the inner side of each protruding coupling part in theshape of a hemispherical protrusion. However, the coupling protrusion isnot limited to the above-specified structure.

Since the protruding coupling parts are constructed in a structure inwhich the plurality of bridges are arranged in the symmetrical fashion,and the protruding coupling parts are formed approximately in thevertical sectional shape of “∩,” as previously described, elasticinsertion and coupling of the protruding coupling parts are achievedirrespective of the coupling protrusions formed at the sides of therespective protruding coupling parts, at the time of coupling theprotruding coupling parts to the predetermined regions of the electrodeterminal of the battery cell.

According to circumstances, the connection member may further includeauxiliary connection parts extending downward from the ends of therespective upward protruding parts between the respective bridgesconnecting the upward protruding parts and the central connection part.Consequently, as previously described, the elastic force of the upwardprotruding parts is further increased, and the occurrence of aninstantaneous short circuit of the electrode terminal is prevented whenan external force, such as vibration or bending, is applied to thebattery pack.

In a fourth embodiment, the connection member comprises a terminalconnection unit for connecting the battery cells arranged in thelongitudinal direction in series to each other, and the terminalconnection unit comprises: (a) an outer circumferential connection partconfigured to correspond to the external shape of an electrode terminalof a battery cell located below the connection member (a lower batterycell), the outer circumferential connection part contacting theelectrode terminal of the lower battery cell at a region adjacent to theouter circumference of the electrode terminal, the outer circumferentialconnection part having a predetermined width; (b) an upward protrudingpart tapered upward from the outer circumferential connection parttoward a central axis of the terminal connection unit for elasticallysupporting the lower battery cell; and (c) a central connection partcontacting an electrode terminal of a battery cell located above theconnection member (an upper battery cell), the terminal connection unitbeing constructed in a structure in which cut-out parts are formed atthe upward protruding part and the central connection part, such thatthe cut-out parts extend from the upward protruding part to the centralconnection part and successively extend from the central connection partto the upward protruding part, to increase an elastically supportingforce with respect to the electrode terminal of the battery cell.

Since the connection member is constructed in a structure in which thecut-out parts are formed at the upward protruding part and the centralconnection part such that the cut-out parts extend from the upwardprotruding part to the central connection part and successively extendfrom the central connection part to the upward protruding part, theelastically supporting force with respect to the electrode terminal ofthe battery cell is increased, and therefore, the change in resistanceat the connection regions does not deviate from a desired degree ofreliability although external impact is applied to the battery pack.Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a short circuitof the lower battery cell due to the depression of the electrodeterminal of the lower battery cell.

Also, the connection member is elastically connected to the electrodeterminals of the battery cells while being somewhat pressed, and thecut-out parts reduce the elasticity of the upward protruding parts, withthe result that the upward protruding parts become more flexible.Consequently, the change in resistance at the connection regions doesnot deviate from a desired degree of reliability although externalimpact is applied to the battery pack.

Preferably, the central connection part has a contact interface of asize equivalent to 20% to 80% of the surface area of the electrodeterminal of the upper battery cell. It is preferred to increase the sizeof the contact interface for surface contact when considering theresistance at the contact region; however, the increase in size of thecentral connection part causes the decrease in size of the outercircumferential connection part. Consequently, it is necessary for thecontact interface to be within the above-specified range.

For example, the outer circumferential connection part and the centralconnection part may be electrically connected to the anode terminal andthe cathode terminal of the battery cells, respectively, in a physicalcontact manner. That is, the cathode terminal of one cylindrical batterycell is electrically connected to the central connection part, which isconnected to the upward protruding parts of the connection member whilethe central connection part is surrounded by the upward protrudingparts, and the anode terminal of the other cylindrical battery cell iselectrically connected to the outer circumferential connection part,which is formed, with a predetermined width, at a region adjacent to theouter circumference of the connection member.

The cut-out parts are characteristic structures that are formed at theupper protruding part and the central connection part to make the upperprotruding part flexible. For example, each of the cut-out parts may beconstructed in a structure in which a cut-out start point and a cut-outend point form an angle of 20 to 160 degrees under a condition that eachof the cut-out parts does not reach the central axis of the connectionmember. Preferably, the cut-out start point and the cut-out end pointform an angle of 90 degrees.

The cut-out parts may be constructed in various structures. For example,the cut-out parts may be constructed in a bridge structure. Thebridge-structured cut-out parts can be easily formed at the upperprotruding part and the central connection part. Also, thebridge-structured cut-out parts can effectively provide flexibility tothe upper protruding part.

According to circumstances, the cut-out parts may be constructed in astructure in which each cut-out part has two or more end points withrespect to one cut-out start point. In this structure, several cut-outparts are formed at the upper protruding part, whereby the upperprotruding part exhibits greater flexibility.

Preferably, the distance between the central axis of the connectionmember and the region of each cut-out part where each cut-out part isthe nearest to the central axis of the connection member is 10 to 50% ofthe width of the central connection part. When the distance between thecentral axis of the connection member and the region of each cut-outpart where each cut-out part is the nearest to the central axis of theconnection member is too large as compared with the width of the centralconnection part, the overall size of the cut-out parts decreases, withthe result that the flexibility of the upper protruding part greatlydecreases. On the other hand, when the distance between the central axisof the connection member and the region of each cut-out part where eachcut-out part is the nearest to the central axis of the connection memberis too small as compared with the width of the central connection part,the overall elasticity of the connection member excessively decreases,which is not preferred.

Meanwhile, the structure of the cut-out parts is not particularlyrestricted so long as the cut-out parts are constructed in a structurein which the cut-out parts extend from the upward protruding part to thecentral connection part and successively extend from the centralconnection part to the upward protruding part. Preferably, therespective cut-out parts pass through the uppermost portion of theupward protruding part. In this case, the flexibility of the upwardprotruding part further increases, since respective cut-out parts passthrough the uppermost portion of the upward protruding part.

For example, two or more cut-out parts may be radially arranged aboutthe central axis of the connection member in a symmetrical structure.The symmetrically radial cut-out parts are advantageous in that thesymmetrically radial cut-out parts can be easily formed at theconnection member. Furthermore, since the number of the cut-out parts istwo or more, it is possible to control the flexibility of the upwardprotruding part to a desired degree.

Also, it is preferred to adjust the size of the cut-out parts inconsideration of the thickness of the connection member such that theupward protruding part exhibits appropriate flexibility as well aselasticity. For example, the cut-out parts may be cut out with a widthequivalent to 50 to 300% of the thickness of the connection member. Thewidths of the respective cut-out parts are spaces formed at theconnection member by cutting out portions of the connection member. Thewidths of the respective cut-out parts enable the upward protruding partto exhibit appropriate flexibility as well as elasticity whilepreventing the deformation or the breakage of the upward protrudingpart.

According to circumstances, the cut-out parts may be formed at theconnection member in the shape of a line or slit.

In the above-described illustrative examples of the connection member,the connection member may include two or more terminal connection unitsconnected to each other to simultaneously achieve the connection inseries between the battery cells arranged in the longitudinal directionand the connection in parallel between battery cells arranged in thelateral direction. Consequently, the connection member may beconstructed in a structure that is applicable to a series-connection andparallel-connection type battery pack as well as a series-connectiontype battery pack.

Also, the terminal connection unit may be provided at one side thereofwith a circuit connection terminal part. The circuit connection terminalpart may be an input and output terminal for power supply, a detectionterminal for voltage detection, or a combination thereof. The circuitconnection terminal part may be formed in various shapes. For example,circuit connection terminal part may be formed in the shape of a stripextending from the outer circumferential connection part. Thestrip-shaped circuit connection terminal part may be bent such that thecircuit connection terminal part is brought into tight contact with theside of the lower battery cell while the connection member is mounted tothe lower battery cell.

In the above-described illustrative examples of the connection member,the width of the outer circumferential connection part contacting thebattery cell is preferably 5 to 30% of the radius of the terminalconnection unit. When the contact width of the outer circumferentialconnection part is less than 5%, the resistance at the contact regionincreases due to the small contact area. Also, the electrode terminal ofthe battery cell becomes out of position due to external impact, withthe result that the electrical connection may be easily cut off. On theother hand, when the contact width of the outer circumferentialconnection part exceeds 30%, the sizes of the remaining parts, includingthe upward protruding parts, decrease, with the result that it isdifficult to provide a predetermined elastic force, and it is difficultto couple the protruding coupling parts to the corresponding regions ofthe battery cell.

Also, the respective upward protruding parts preferably have a widthequivalent to 20 to 60% of the radius of the terminal connection unitand a tilt angle of 5 to 30 degrees. When the width of the respectiveupward protruding parts is less than 20% of the radius of the terminalconnection unit, it is difficult to provide a predetermined elasticforce, as previously described. On the other hand, when the width of therespective upward protruding parts exceeds 60% of the radius of theterminal connection unit, the areas of the contact parts contacting theelectrode terminals of the battery cells are relatively reduced, withthe result that a desired electrical connection is not achieved. Also,when the tilt angle of the respective upward protruding parts is lessthan 5 degrees to the lower end of the terminal connection unit, i.e.,the outer circumferential connection part, it is difficult to provide apredetermined elastic force against external impact. On the other hand,when the tilt angle of the respective upward protruding parts exceeds 30degrees, the inner space of the battery pack is reduced, and therespective upward protruding parts may break when external pressure isapplied to the respective upward protruding parts.

Also, the protruding coupling parts (or the coupling parts) preferablyhave a height equivalent to 30 to 70% of the total height of theconnection member. When the height of the protruding coupling parts isless than 30%, which means that the size of the protruding regions issmall, it is difficult to couple the protruding coupling parts topredetermined regions of the electrode terminal of the battery cell. Onthe other hand, when the height of the protruding coupling parts exceeds70%, it is required to further increase the inner space of the batterypack, whereby the size of the battery pack increases.

Also, the auxiliary connection parts are preferably inclined upward ordownward at an angle of 20 to 70 degrees to the horizontal section ofthe connection member. When the auxiliary connection parts are inclinedat an angle of less than 20 degrees, it is difficult for the auxiliaryconnection parts to maintain their elasticity when the auxiliaryconnection parts come into contact with the electrode terminal of thebattery cell. On the other hand, when the auxiliary connection parts areinclined at an angle of more than 70 degrees, the auxiliary connectionparts may damage, for example scratch, the electrode terminal, or theauxiliary connection parts may break during the assembly or the use ofthe battery pack.

In a preferred embodiment, the connection member is characterized inthat the outer circumferential connection part is further provided atthe outer circumference thereof with one or more downward extensionsconstructed in a structure to partially cover the upper-end side of thelower battery cell. Since the downward extensions are constructed in astructure to partially cover the upper-end side of the lower batterycell, it is possible to prevent the connection member from deviating inposition from the lower battery cell due to external impact, andtherefore, a more stable connection is achieved.

Preferably, the one or more downward extensions are arranged along theouter circumference of the outer circumferential connection part in asymmetrical structure. Consequently, the prevention of the connectionmember from deviating in position from the lower battery cell and thestable connection is more effectively achieved.

The length of the downward extensions is not particularly restricted solong as the downward extensions are constructed in a structure toprovide the above-mentioned effects. For example, the downwardextensions may have a length equivalent to 20 to 150% of the totalheight of the connection member.

This structure enables the connection member to be connected to theupper battery cells and the lower battery cells in a coupling manner.That is, the protruding coupling parts of the connection member arecoupled to the electrode terminal of the upper battery cell, and thedownward extensions of the connection member are coupled to theelectrode terminal of the lower battery cell. Consequently, theconnection member is coupled to both the upper and lower battery cells.

According to circumstances, a physical contact type connection membermay be further used together with the above-described illustrativeexamples of the connection member. The physical contact type connectionmember comprises terminal connection units for electrically connectingtwo or more battery cells arranged in the lateral direction in aphysical contact manner, and each of the terminal connection unitscomprises: (a) an outer circumferential connection part configured tocorrespond to the external shape of an electrode terminal of thecorresponding battery cell, the outer circumferential connection partcontacting the electrode terminal of the corresponding battery cell at aregion adjacent to the outer circumference of the electrode terminal,the outer circumferential connection part having a predetermined width;and (b) upward protruding parts tapered upward from the outercircumferential connection part toward a central axis of each terminalconnection unit for elastically supporting the corresponding batterycell, the terminal connection units being electrically connected to eachother in correspondence to the number of the battery cells arranged inthe lateral direction, each of the terminal connection units beingprovided at one side thereof with a circuit connection terminal part.

In a battery pack constructed in a structure in which a plurality ofbattery cells are laterally arranged in two or more rows in a pack casewhile the battery cells are electrically connected to one another, it ispossible for the additional connection member to easily electricallyconnect electrode terminals of the battery cells arranged in the lateraldirection (in parallel or in series) of the ends of the battery rows ina physical contact manner.

In this case, each of the terminal connection units may further includeauxiliary connection parts tapered downward from the inside of the outercircumferential connection part such that the terminal connection unitscan be elastically connected to the corresponding electrode terminals.

Meanwhile, the connection member, which is constructed in variousstructures as previously described, may be manufactured in a single bodyby pressing a conductive sheet. Specifically, the conductive sheet ispunched or rolled according to the shape of the connection member, andtherefore, it is possible to easily and simply manufacture theconnection member having a specific structure.

Preferably, the connection member is used especially for cylindricalbattery cells. In this case, the specific regions of the connectionmember are generally constructed in a concentric circle structure, whichcorresponds to the shape of the electrode terminal of each cylindricalbattery cell, with the result that the contact area therebetween ismaximized.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a battery pack constructed in a structure in which theconnection member is mounted between electrode terminals of batterycells to achieve the electrical connection between the battery cells.

The battery pack may be constructed in a structure in which a pluralityof battery cells are electrically connected to one another in rows in apack case. The number of the rows may be one or more.

The connection member may be used to electrically connect the batterycells arranged in the longitudinal direction in each row. In a structureincluding two or more battery rows, the connection member may be used toelectrically connect the battery cells (bank) arranged in the lateraldirection.

When the connection member is used only for the electrical connection ofthe bank, for example, the battery pack may be manufactured in astructure in which battery cells are mounted in a pack case includingreceiving parts constructed such that two or more secondary batterycells are mounted in the respective receiving parts while being adjacentto each other in the lateral direction, and the connection member iscoupled to a sidewall contacting electrode terminals of the batterycells, among sidewalls constituting the pack case, such that the outercircumferential connection parts of the connection member is directedtoward the electrode terminals of the battery cells.

The battery pack according to the present invention may be used as, butis not limited to, a power source for household electric appliances,such as portable DVD players, small-sized PCs, etc., requiring highpower and large capacity.

More preferably, the battery pack according to the present invention isused as a power source for laptop computers. In accordance with afurther aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided alaptop computer including the battery pack as a power source.

The general structure of the laptop computers and a method ofmanufacturing the same are well known in the art to which the presentinvention pertains, and therefore, a further description thereof willnot be given.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the coupling betweenbatteries electrically connected to each other by conventionalconnection members, such as metal plates;

FIG. 2 is a typical view illustrating a battery pack in which the metalplates are connected to a protection circuit;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are typical views illustrating a process for assembling asecondary battery pack according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a cathode terminal connectionmember according to a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a typical plan view of the cathode terminal connection memberaccording to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a cathode terminal connectionmember according to a modification of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a typical plan view of the cathode terminal connection memberaccording to the modification of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an anode terminal connectionmember that can be used in the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a typical front view of the anode terminal connection memberthat can be used in the present invention;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views illustrating electrode terminalshaving coupling openings, respectively, according to preferredembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a connection member accordingto a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a typical plan view of the connection member according to thesecond preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a connection member accordingto a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a typical plan view of the connection member according to thethird preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating thebottom of the connection member;

FIG. 17 is a typical sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a side view typically illustrating the coupling between theconnection member of FIG. 15 and electrode terminals of cylindricalbattery cells;

FIG. 19 is a plan view typically illustrating the outside of a cathodeterminal of a conventional cylindrical secondary battery;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a structure in which theconnection member of FIG. 15 is coupled to electrode terminals ofcylindrical battery cells such that the cylindrical battery cells areconnected in parallel to each other;

FIG. 21 is a typical front view of the structure shown in FIG. 20 in thecoupling state;

FIG. 22 is a typical plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 20 in thecoupling state;

FIGS. 23 to 26 are typical views illustrating various modifications ofthe connection member shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 27 is a plan view typically illustrating a connection memberaccording to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a typical sectional view of the connection member accordingto the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a plan view typically illustrating a connection memberaccording to a modification of FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a typical sectional view of the connection member shown inFIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the connection member shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is a plan view typically illustrating a connection memberaccording to another modification of FIG. 27; and

FIG. 33 is a typical sectional view of the connection member shown inFIG. 32.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted,however, that the scope of the present invention is not limited by theillustrated embodiments.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are typical views illustrating a process for assembling asecondary battery pack according to the present invention.

Referring to these drawings, the battery pack A is constructed in astructure in which a plurality of cylindrical batteries 302, 304, 306,and 308 are electrically connected to one another via predeterminedconnection members 100 and 102 in a pack case B having no partition.

Specifically, two kinds of connection members 100 and 102 and fourcylindrical batteries 302, 304, 306, and 308 are located in a receivingpart of the pack case B, while the four cylindrical batteries 302, 304,306, and 308 are brought into tight contact with one another, such thatcathode terminals are connected to protruding coupling parts 130 of theconnection members 100 in a mechanical coupling manner.

Consequently, the cathode terminals of the cylindrical batteries 302 and304 are connected to the connection members 100 having the protrudingcoupling parts 130 in a mechanical coupling manner, while the cathodeterminals of the cylindrical batteries 302 and 304 are elasticallypressed, and anode terminals of the cylindrical batteries 302 and 304are connected to the connection members 100 in a physical connectionmanner, whereby it is possible to easily assembly the battery pack andstably maintain the connection structure between the electrode terminalsof the battery cells.

Also, the connection member 102, which includes no protruding couplingpart 130, is mounted at the region where anode terminals of thecylindrical batteries 306 and 308 come into contact with the pack case,whereby the anode terminals of the cylindrical batteries 306 and 308,arranged in the lateral direction, are electrically connected inparallel to each other.

The structure of the secondary battery pack A after the assembly isshown in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, the second battery pack A isconstructed in a 2P-2S plane-type structure in which the two cylindricalbatteries 302 and 304 are arranged in contact with each other in thelateral direction, and, at the same time, the two cylindrical batteries302 and 306 are arranged in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view typically illustrating a cathode terminalconnection member according to a first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 6 is a typical plan view of the cathodeterminal connection member according to the first preferred embodimentof the present invention.

Referring to these drawings, the connection member 100 according to thepresent invention is constructed in a structure in which two terminalconnection units 100A and 100B are connected to each other, and acircuit connection terminal part 150 for connection to an externalcircuit is included in the connection member 100.

Each of the terminal connection units 100A and 100B includes an outercircumferential connection part 110, having a predetermined width w,electrically connected to an electrode terminal of a lower battery cell(not shown), upward protruding parts 120 extending from the outercircumferential connection part 110 toward a central axis 180 of eachterminal connection unit such that the upward protruding parts 120 aretapered upward, protruding coupling parts 130 connected to therespective upward protruding parts 120 via bridges 160 while protrudingupward, and auxiliary connection parts 140 and 142 tapered upward anddownward, respectively, from the inside of the outer circumferentialconnection part 110.

The width w of the outer circumferential connection part 110 contactingthe electrode terminal of the lower battery cell is approximately 10% ofthe radius W of each terminal connection unit. The outer circumferentialconnection part 110 is formed in the shape of a concentric circlecorresponding to the outside of the electrode terminal of the lowerbattery cell.

The protruding coupling parts 130 have a height equivalent toapproximately 50% of the total height of the connection member 100. Thetop of each upward protruding part 120 is formed approximately in thevertical sectional shape of “∩” Also, each protruding coupling part 130is provided at the inside thereof with a coupling protrusion 132, whichprotrudes toward the central axis 180 of the terminal connection unit.The coupling protrusion 132 of each protruding coupling part 130prevents the connection member from separating from the upper batterycell after the connection member is coupled to a predetermined region ofthe electrode terminal of the upper battery cell. At this time, theupward protruding parts 120 and the bridges 160 contact the centralregion of the electrode terminal of the upper battery cell, whereby theelectrical connection is achieved.

The four bridges 160 connecting the protruding coupling parts 130 andthe upward protruding parts 120 are radially arranged in a symmetricalstructure. Specifically, the bridges 160, arranged at predeterminedintervals, connect the upward protruding parts 120 and the protrudingcoupling parts 130. The bridges 160 protrude upward.

Also, the four auxiliary connection parts 140 are inclined upward fromthe outer circumferential connection part 110 by a height ofapproximately 1 mm in a space defined between the respective bridges 160and the outer circumferential connection part 110. The other fourauxiliary connection parts 142 are tapered downward from the outercircumferential connection part 110 by a height of approximately 1 mm.Ends of the respective auxiliary connection parts 140 are bent downward,i.e., in the direction opposite to the upward taper direction of thecorresponding auxiliary connection parts, and ends of the respectiveauxiliary connection parts 142 are bent upward, i.e., in the directionopposite to the downward taper direction of the corresponding auxiliaryconnection parts. Consequently, when the connection member 100 ismounted to the cathode or anode terminals of the lower battery cell (notshown), the auxiliary connection parts 140 and 142 are connected to theelectrode terminals of the lower battery cells or the upper batterycells while being elastically pressed.

Although the auxiliary connection parts 140 and 142 exhibit somewhat lowmodulus of elasticity, the four auxiliary connection parts 140 and thefour auxiliary connection parts 142 are independently connected to theelectrode terminal of the lower battery cell. Consequently, theauxiliary connection parts 140 and 142 prevent the occurrence of aninstantaneous short circuit of the battery cell due to an externalfactor, such as vibration, thereby continuously maintaining theelectrical connection between the battery cells.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the outer circumferential connection part 110of each terminal connection unit is formed in the shape of a concentriccircle. Furthermore, the two upward protruding parts 120 and the twoprotruding coupling parts 130 form an imaginary concentric circle whenthe two upward protruding parts 120 and the two protruding couplingparts 130 are connected to one another. Consequently, the respectiveterminal connection units are constructed generally in a concentriccircle structure, and therefore, the contact area and the tight contactdegree between the respective terminal connection units and the outercircumferences of the electrode terminals of cylindrical battery cellsincrease.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a cathode terminal connectionmember according to a modification of FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is a typicalplan view of the cathode terminal connection member according to themodification of FIG. 5.

The connection member 101 of FIGS. 7 and 8 is identical in constructionto the connection member of FIGS. 5 and 6 except that the connectionmember 101 of FIGS. 7 and 8 includes a single terminal connection unit.That is, the terminal connection unit of the connection member 101 ofFIGS. 7 and 8 includes an outer circumferential connection part 110,upward protruding parts 120, protruding coupling parts 130 and 132, andauxiliary connection parts 140 and 142, a circuit connection terminalpart 150, and bridges 160, all of which are identical to those of FIGS.5 and 6. Accordingly, a detailed description of the same components willnot be given.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view typically illustrating an anode terminalconnection member that can be used together with the connection memberaccording to the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a typical front viewof the anode terminal connection member.

Referring to these drawings, the connection member 102 according to thepresent invention is constructed in a structure in which two terminalconnection units 102A and 102B are connected to each other, and theconnection member is provided at one side thereof with a side extensionpart 150 where a circuit connection terminal part 152 for connection toan external circuit is formed.

Each of the terminal connection units 102A and 102B includes an outercircumferential connection part 110, having a predetermined width w,electrically connected to an electrode terminal of a lower battery cell(not shown), upward protruding parts 130 extending from the outercircumferential connection part 110 toward a central axis 180 of eachterminal connection unit such that the upward protruding parts 130 aretapered upward, the upward protruding parts 130 being connected to oneanother via bridges, and auxiliary connection parts 140 tapered downwardfrom the inside of the outer circumferential connection part 110.

The width w of the outer circumferential connection part 110 contactingthe electrode terminal of the lower battery cell is approximately 10% ofthe radius W of each terminal connection unit. The outer circumferentialconnection part 110 is formed in the shape of a concentric circlecorresponding to the outside of the electrode terminal of the lowerbattery cell.

The upward protruding parts 130 have a height h equivalent toapproximately 60% of the total height H of the connection member 102.The four bridges interconnecting the upward protruding parts 130 aresymmetrically arranged in a cross-shaped structure.

Also, the four auxiliary connection parts 140, which are arrangedradially about the central axis 180 of each terminal connection unit ina symmetrical structure, are tapered downward from the outercircumferential connection part 110 in a space defined between therespective upward protruding parts 130 and the outer circumferentialconnection part 110. Ends 144 of the respective auxiliary connectionparts 140 are bent upward, i.e., in the direction opposite to thedownward taper direction of the corresponding auxiliary connectionparts. Consequently, when the connection member 102 is mounted to theanode terminals of the lower battery cells (not shown), the auxiliaryconnection parts 140 are connected to the electrode terminals of thebattery cells located below the connection member 102 while beingelastically pressed.

Although the auxiliary connection parts 140 exhibit somewhat low modulusof elasticity, the four auxiliary connection parts 140 are independentlyconnected to the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell.Consequently, the auxiliary connection parts 140 prevent the occurrenceof an instantaneous short circuit of the battery cell due to an externalfactor, such as vibration, thereby continuously maintaining theelectrical connection between the battery cells.

Also, the outer circumferential connection part 110 of each terminalconnection unit is formed generally in the shape of a circle.Furthermore, the four upward protruding parts 130 and the four auxiliaryconnection parts 140 form an imaginary concentric circle when the fourupward protruding parts 130 and the four auxiliary connection parts 140are connected to one another. Consequently, the respective terminalconnection units are constructed generally in a concentric circlestructure, and therefore, the contact area and the tight contact degreebetween the respective terminal connection units and the outercircumferences of the electrode terminals of cylindrical battery cellsincrease.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views typically illustrating electrodeterminals having coupling openings, respectively, according to preferredembodiments of the present invention.

Referring to these drawings, the electrode terminal 200C; 201C has gasdischarge ports 210C formed at a protrusion thereof in thecircumferential direction. The electrode terminal 200C; 201C is providedat the central region thereof with a coupling opening 230C; 231C inwhich an electrical connection member is coupled in a mechanicalcoupling manner. However, when the coupling opening 230C; 231C alsofunctions as a gas discharge port, as previously described, it is notnecessary to additionally form the gas discharge ports 210C.

The coupling opening 230C is formed, for example, approximately in across-shaped structure (see the structure of the electrode terminal200C), and the coupling opening 231C is formed, for example, in astructure in which two arc-shaped slits are disposed in a symmetricalfashion (see the structure of the electrode terminal 201C).Consequently, the electrical connection member and the coupling partsthereof may be formed in various structures depending upon the structureor the shape of the coupling opening 230C; 231C of the electrodeterminal.

Specifically, coupling parts formed in a shape corresponding to theshape of a long side of the approximately cross-shaped coupling opening230C are inserted into the coupling opening 230C of the electrodeterminal, and are then rotated 90 degrees, whereby the elastic couplingbetween the electrical connection member and the electrode terminal 200Cis achieved.

On the other hand, coupling parts horizontally bent in the longitudinaldirection of the slits such that the coupling parts are constructedapproximately in the vertical sectional shape of

are inserted into the coupling opening 231C constructed in a structurein which the two arc-shaped slits are disposed in a symmetrical fashion,and are then rotated in the direction in which the coupling parts arebent, whereby the elastic coupling between the electrical connectionmember and the electrode terminal is achieved.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view typically illustrating a connection memberaccording to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 14 is a typical plan view of the connection member according to thesecond preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to these drawings, the connection member 200 according to thepresent invention is constructed in a structure in which two terminalconnection units 200A and 200B are connected to each other, and acircuit connection terminal part 250 for connection to an externalcircuit is included in the connection member 200.

Each of the terminal connection units 200A and 200B includes an outercircumferential connection part 210, having a predetermined width w,electrically connected to an electrode terminal of a lower battery cell(not shown), coupling parts 230 formed on upward protruding parts 220tapered upward from the outer circumferential connection part 210 towarda central axis 280 of each terminal connection unit, and auxiliaryconnection parts 240 and 242 tapered upward and downward, respectively,from the inside of the outer circumferential connection part 210.

The width w of the outer circumferential connection part 210 contactingthe electrode terminal of the lower battery cell is approximately 10% ofthe radius W of each terminal connection unit. The outer circumferentialconnection part 210 is formed in the shape of a concentric circlecorresponding to the outside of the electrode terminal of the lowerbattery cell.

The coupling parts 230 are constructed in a structure in which ends ofthe respective coupling parts 230 are bent outward. Consequently, whenthe coupling parts 230 are inserted into the coupling opening 230C ofthe electrode terminal 200C as shown in FIG. 11 and are then rotated,the electrical connection between the connection member and theelectrode terminal is achieved while the coupling between the connectionmember and the electrode terminal is securely maintained.

Also, the four auxiliary connection parts 240 are inclined upward fromthe outer circumferential connection part 210 by a predetermined height,and the other four auxiliary connection parts 242 are tapered downwardfrom the outer circumferential connection part 210 by a predetermineddepth. Ends of the respective auxiliary connection parts 240 are bentdownward, i.e., in the direction opposite to the upward taper directionof the corresponding auxiliary connection parts, and ends of therespective auxiliary connection parts 242 are bent upward, i.e., in thedirection opposite to the downward taper direction of the correspondingauxiliary connection parts. Consequently, when the connection member 200is mounted to the cathode or anode terminals of the lower battery cell(not shown), the auxiliary connection parts 240 and 242 are connected tothe electrode terminals of the lower battery cells or the upper batterycells while being elastically pressed.

Although the auxiliary connection parts 240 and 242 exhibit somewhat lowmodulus of elasticity, the four auxiliary connection parts 240 and thefour auxiliary connection parts 242 are independently connected to theelectrode terminal of the lower battery cell. Consequently, theauxiliary connection parts 240 and 242 prevent the occurrence of aninstantaneous short circuit of the battery cell due to an externalfactor, such as vibration, thereby continuously maintaining theelectrical connection between the battery cells.

Also, as shown in FIG. 13, the outer circumferential connection part 210of each terminal connection unit is formed in the shape of a concentriccircle. Consequently, the contact area and the tight contact degreebetween the respective terminal connection units and the outercircumferences of the electrode terminals of cylindrical battery cellsincrease.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a connection member accordingto a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is atypical plan view of the connection member according to the thirdpreferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the bottom ofthe connection member, and FIG. 17 is a typical sectional view takenalong line A-A′ of FIG. 16.

Referring to these drawings, the connection member 300 according to thepresent invention includes two terminal connection units 300A and 300Bconnected to each other and circuit connection terminal parts 370 forconnection to an external circuit.

Each of the terminal connection units 300A and 300B includes an outercircumferential connection part 310 electrically connected to anelectrode terminal of a lower battery cell (not shown), the outercircumferential connection part 310 having a predetermined width c,upward protruding parts 320 extending from the outer circumferentialconnection part 310 toward a central axis 380 of each terminalconnection unit such that the upward protruding parts 320 are taperedupward, protruding coupling parts 330 protruding upward from therespective upward protruding parts 320 to a predetermined height d, anda central connection part 340 disposed on the central axis 380 of eachterminal connection unit such that the central connection part 340 isdepressed to a predetermined depth e from upper end surfaces 334 of therespective protruding coupling parts 330, the central connection part340 being electrically connected to an electrode terminal of an upperbattery cell (not shown).

The width c of the outer circumferential connection part 310 contactingthe electrode terminal of the lower battery cell is approximately 10% ofthe radius C of each terminal connection unit. The outer circumferentialconnection part 310 is formed in the shape of a concentric circlecorresponding to the outside of the electrode terminal of the lowerbattery cell.

The respective upward protruding parts 320 have a width f equivalent toapproximately 30% of the radius C of each terminal connection unit. Therespective upward protruding parts 320 are tapered upward at a tiltangle a of 10 degrees toward the central axis 380 of each terminalconnection unit from the outer circumferential connection part 310.Consequently, the elastic connection between the outer circumferentialconnection part 310 and the electrode terminal of the lower battery cellis maintained by the upward protruding parts 320.

The height d of the respective protruding coupling parts 330 isapproximately 50% of the total height D of the connection member 300.The respective protruding coupling parts 330 are formed approximately inthe vertical sectional shape of “∩” Also, each protruding coupling part330 is provided at the inside thereof with a coupling protrusion 332,which protrudes toward the central axis 380 of each terminal connectionunit. The coupling protrusion 332 is constructed in a structure in whichthe inner end of each protruding coupling part 330 is bent toward thecentral connection part 340. Consequently, the structure of theprotruding coupling parts 330 prevents the connection member fromseparating from the upper battery cell after the connection member iscoupled to a predetermined region of the electrode terminal of the upperbattery cell. At this time, the central connection part 340 contacts thecentral region of the electrode terminal of the upper battery cell,whereby the electrical connection is achieved.

The protruding coupling parts 330 are constructed in a structure inwhich four bridges 350 connecting the respective upward protruding parts320 and the central connection part 340 are radially arranged in asymmetrical fashion. Specifically, the bridges 350, arranged atpredetermined intervals, connect the respective upward protruding parts320 and the central connection part 340. The bridges 350 protrude upwardto constitute the respective protruding coupling parts 330.

Also, four auxiliary connection parts 360 extend from ends 322 of therespective upward protruding parts 320 between the respective bridges350. The auxiliary connection parts 360 are inclined at a tilt angle bof approximately 40 degrees toward the central axis 380 of each terminalconnection unit. Lower ends 362 of the respective auxiliary connectionparts 360 extend to a height lower than that of the outercircumferential connection part 310. Consequently, when the connectionmember 300 is mounted to the anode terminal of the lower battery cell(not shown), the auxiliary connection parts 360 are connected to theelectrode terminal of the lower battery cell while being elasticallypressed.

Although the auxiliary connection parts 360 exhibit somewhat low modulusof elasticity, the four auxiliary connection parts 360 are independentlyconnected to the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell.Consequently, the downward protrusions 160 prevent the occurrence of aninstantaneous short circuit of the battery cell due to an externalfactor, such as vibration, thereby continuously maintaining theelectrical connection between the battery cells.

Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the upward protruding parts 320, the outercircumferential connection part 310, and the central connection part 340of each terminal connection unit are formed in the shape of a concentriccircle. Furthermore, the four protruding coupling parts 330 are formedin the shape of an imaginary concentric circle when the protrudingcoupling parts 330 are connected to one another. Consequently, eachterminal connection unit is constructed in a concentric circlestructure, and therefore, the contact area and the tight contact degreebetween the respective terminal connection units and the outercircumferences of the electrode terminals of cylindrical battery cellsincrease.

FIG. 18 is a side view typically illustrating the coupling between theconnection member of FIG. 15 and electrode terminals of cylindricalbattery cells, and FIG. 19 is a plan view typically illustrating theoutside of a cathode terminal of a conventional cylindrical secondarybattery.

Referring first to FIG. 19, four gas exhaust ports 210C are formed atthe outer circumferential region of the cathode terminal 220C of thecylindrical battery cell C1 such that gas generated in the battery cellis exhausted through the gas exhaust ports 210C.

Referring to FIG. 18, the protruding coupling parts 330, located at theupper part of the connection member, are inserted into and elasticallycoupled to the gas exhaust ports 210C (see FIG. 19) of the cathodeterminal 220C of an upper battery cell C1. At this time, the centralconnection part 340 contacts the cathode terminal 220C of the upperbattery cell C1, whereby the electrical connection therebetween isachieved. Also, the coupling protrusions 332, formed at the inner sideof the respective protruding coupling parts 230 in the central axisdirection thereof, are coupled to inside ends 212C of the respective gasexhaust ports 210C formed at the cathode terminal 220C of the upperbattery cell C1, whereby the stable coupling is achieved.

On the other hand, the outer circumferential connection part 310,located at the lower part of the connection member, contacts the outercircumference of an anode terminal 310C of a lower battery cell C2, andthe auxiliary connection parts 360, extending downward from the ends ofthe upward protruding parts 320, partially contact the outercircumference of the anode terminal 310C of the lower battery cell C2.As a result, the upper battery cell C1 and the lower battery cell C2 areelectrically connected in series to each other.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view typically illustrating a structure inwhich the connection member of FIG. 15 is coupled to electrode terminalsof cylindrical battery cells such that the cylindrical battery cells areconnected in parallel to each other. FIG. 21 is a typical front view ofthe structure shown in FIG. 20 in the coupling state, and FIG. 22 is atypical plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 20 in the couplingstate.

Referring to these drawings, two cylindrical battery cells C1 and C3 arearranged adjacent to each other in the lateral direction, while cathodeterminals 220C and 221C of the respective cylindrical battery cells C1and C3 are oriented in the same direction, to constitute a bank.

The protruding coupling parts 330 of the connection member 300 areinserted into the corresponding gas exhaust ports 210C of thecylindrical battery cells C1 and C3, whereby the connection member 300is elastically coupled to the cylindrical battery cells C1 and C3.Consequently, the physical coupling between the bank-structuredcylindrical battery cells C1 and C3 is maintained by the connectionmember 300. Since the coupling protrusions (not shown) are elasticallycoupled to the respective gas exhaust ports 210C, when the protrudingcoupling parts 330 of the connection member 300 are inserted into therespective gas exhaust ports 210C, as previously described withreference to FIG. 18, the coupling force is very high. On the otherhand, when the connection member 300 is needed to separate as necessary,a tensile force enough to elastically bend backward the couplingprotrusions may be applied to the coupling protrusions, with the resultthat the connection member 300 is separated from the cylindrical batterycells C1 and C3.

Also, when the connection member 300 is coupled to the cylindricalbattery cells C1 and C3, the bank is constructed in a structure in whichthe cylindrical battery cells C1 and C3 are connected in parallel toeach other. The connection member 300 is made of a conductive material,such as a metal plate. Consequently, when the respective centralconnection parts 340 contact the cathode terminals 220C and 221C of therespective cylindrical battery cells C1 and C3, the electricalconnection between the cathode terminals 220C and 221C of the respectivecylindrical battery cells C1 and C3 is achieved. When the connectionmember 300 is coupled to the bank, the connection member 300 is arrangedsuch that the outer circumferential connection parts 310 are directedfrontward. Consequently, when other cylindrical battery cells (notshown) are located in front of the connection member 300, as shown inFIG. 18, the connection in series between the cylindrical battery cellsis achieved.

Also, the circuit connection terminal parts 370 are formed at theopposite-side upper ends of the connection member 300 in the form of adrilled hole, whereby the cylindrical battery cells connected in seriesand parallel to one another may be connected to an external circuit.

FIGS. 23 to 26 are typical views illustrating various modifications ofthe connection member shown in FIG. 15.

First, a connection member 301 of FIG. 23 is different from theconnection member 300 of FIG. 15 in that a circuit connection terminalpart 371 is formed in the shape of a strip extending from one of theouter circumferential connection parts 310. The strip-shaped circuitconnection terminal part 371 may be bent such that the circuitconnection terminal part 371 is brought into tight contact with the sideof a lower battery cell (not shown) after the connection member 301 ismounted to the lower battery cell.

A connection member 302 of FIG. 24 is different from the connectionmember 300 of FIG. 15 in that a circuit connection terminal part 371 isformed in the shape of a strip extending from one of the outercircumferential connection parts 310, and two or more downwardextensions 312 are formed at the outer circumference of each outercircumferential connection part 310 to partially cover the upper-endsides of lower battery cells.

The downward extensions 312 are constructed in a structure to partiallycover the upper-end sides of the lower battery cells. Consequently, thedownward extensions 312 prevent the connection member 302 from deviatingin position from the lower battery cells due to external impact andmaintain the secure coupling between the connection member 302 and thelower battery cells.

This structure enables the connection member to be connected to theupper battery cells and the lower battery cells in a coupling fashion.That is, the protruding coupling parts of the connection member arecoupled to the electrode terminals of the upper battery cells, and thedownward extensions of the connection member are coupled to theelectrode terminals of the lower battery cells. Consequently, theconnection member is coupled to both the upper and lower battery cells.

A connection member 303 of FIG. 25 is different from the connectionmember 302 of FIG. 22 in that coupling protrusions 332 a protrude fromthe inner side of the protruding coupling parts 330 in the shape of ahemispherical protrusion. The hemispherical protrusion-shaped couplingprotrusions 332 a increase the mechanical coupling force between theconnection member 303 and upper battery cells (not shown) when theconnection member 303 is coupled to the upper battery cells.

A connection member 304 of FIG. 26 is different from the connectionmember 303 of FIG. 25 in that no auxiliary connection parts protrudebetween the bridges 350. Specifically, the connection member 303 of FIG.25 is constructed in a structure in which auxiliary connection parts 360extending from the ends of the upward protruding parts 320 are formedbetween the bridges 350, whereas the connection member 304 of FIG. 26has no auxiliary connection parts.

FIG. 27 is a plan view typically illustrating a connection memberaccording to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 28 is a typical sectional view of the connection member accordingto the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to these drawings, the connection member 400 includes twoterminal connection units A and B connected to each other and sideextension parts 450 where circuit connection terminal parts forconnection to an external circuit are located. Here, the externalcircuit connection terminal parts may be input and output terminals forpower supply, detection terminals for voltage detection, or combinationsthereof.

Each of the terminal connection units includes an outer circumferentialconnection part 410 formed in the shape corresponding to the externalshape of an electrode terminal of a battery cell and connected to anelectrode terminal of a lower battery cell (not shown) at a regionadjacent to the outer circumference of the connection member, the outercircumferential connection part 410 having a predetermined width, anupward protruding part 420 extending from the outer circumferentialconnection part 410 toward a central axis of each terminal connectionunit such that the upward protruding part 420 is tapered upward, and acentral connection part 430 connected to an electrode terminal of abattery cell (not shown) located above the connection member 400.

At the upward protruding part 420 and the central connection part 430are formed cut-out parts 440 constructed in a bridge structure in whichthe cut-out parts 440 extend from the upward protruding part 420 to thecentral connection part 430 and successively extend from the centralconnection part 430 to the upward protruding part 420.

The central connection part 430 has a contact interface w of a sizeequivalent to approximately 60% of the surface area W of the electrodeterminal of the upper battery cell (not shown).

Meanwhile, the outer circumferential connection part 410 and the centralconnection part 430 are electrically connected to an anode terminal (notshown) of the lower battery cell and a cathode terminal (not shown) ofthe upper battery cell, respectively, in a physical contact manner.

Each cut-out part 440 is constructed in a structure in which a cut-outstart point 441 and a cut-out end point 443 form an angle a ofapproximately 90 degrees under a condition that each cut-out part 440does not reach the central axis 431 of the connection member 400. Also,the cut-out parts 440 are radially arranged in asymmetrical structure inwhich the four cut-out parts 440 are symmetrically disposed about thecentral axis 431 of the connection member 400. And the distance d1between the central axis 431 of the connection member 400 and a region442 of the connection member 400 where the connection member 400 is themost adjacent to the central axis 431 of the connection member 400 isapproximately 20% of the width d2 of the central connection part 430.

Also, the respective cut-out parts 440 are cut out with a width d3equivalent to approximately 130% of the thickness T of the connectionmember. And the respective cut-out parts 440 pass through the uppermostportion 421 of the upward protruding part 420.

By the provision of the cut-out parts 440, it is possible for the upwardprotruding part 420 to exhibit appropriate flexibility as well aselasticity. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of aninstantaneous short circuit of the battery cell due to an externalfactor, such as vibration, thereby continuously maintaining theelectrical connection between the battery cells.

FIG. 29 is a plan view typically illustrating a connection memberaccording to a modification of FIG. 27. FIG. 30 is a typical sectionalview of the connection member shown in FIG. 29, and FIG. 31 is aperspective view of the connection member shown in FIG. 29.

Referring to these drawings, the connection member 400 b includes twoterminal connection units Ab and Bb connected to each other and sideextension parts 450 b where circuit connection terminal parts forconnection to an external circuit are located.

Each of the terminal connection units includes an outer circumferentialconnection part 410 b connected to an electrode terminal of a lowerbattery cell (not shown), an upward protruding part 420 b extending fromthe outer circumferential connection part 410 b toward a central axis ofeach terminal connection unit such that the upward protruding part 420 bis tapered upward, and a central connection part 430 b connected to anelectrode terminal of a battery cell (not shown) located above theconnection member 400 b. At the upward protruding part 420 b and thecentral connection part 430 b are formed cut-out parts 440 b constructedin a slit structure in which the cut-out parts 440 extend from theupward protruding part 420 b to the central connection part 430 b andsuccessively extend from the central connection part 430 b to the upwardprotruding part 420 b.

FIG. 32 is a plan view typically illustrating a connection memberaccording to another modification of FIG. 27, and FIG. 33 is a typicalsectional view of the connection member shown in FIG. 32.

Referring to these drawings, the connection member 400 c includes twoterminal connection units Ac and Bc connected to each other and sideextension parts 450 c where circuit connection terminal parts forconnection to an external circuit are located.

Each of the terminal connection units includes an outer circumferentialconnection part 410 c connected to an electrode terminal of a lowerbattery cell (not shown), an upward protruding part 420 c extending fromthe outer circumferential connection part 410 c toward a central axis ofeach terminal connection unit such that the upward protruding part 420 cis tapered upward, and a central connection part 430 c connected to anelectrode terminal of a battery cell (not shown) located above theconnection member 400 c.

At the upward protruding part 420 c and the central connection part 430c are formed cut-out parts 440 c constructed in a slit structure inwhich each cut-out part 440 c extends from one cut-out start point 441 cof the upward protruding part 420 c to the central connection part 430 cand successively extends from the central connection part 430 c to twocut-out end points 442 c and 443 c of the upward protruding part 420 c.

By the provision of the cut-out parts 440 c, it is possible to controlthe elasticity of the upward protruding part 420 c to a desired degree.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As apparent from the above description, the battery pack according tothe present invention does not need a welding or soldering process forelectrical connection between electrode terminals of battery cells.Consequently, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of short circuitsof the battery cells, which may be caused during welding, and to greatlyreduce the defective production ratio.

Also, it is possible to minimize the change in resistance at theconnection regions through the stable coupling structure between theelectrode terminals of the secondary battery cells and to greatlyimprove the production efficiency. In addition, when an external force,such as dropping or vibration, is applied to the battery pack, it ispossible to protect the battery cells from the external force.

Furthermore, it is possible to maintain the stable connection of thebattery pack even when in use for a long period of time, while notcausing the increase in size of the battery pack although the batterypack is constructed in an electrically connection structure not usingwelding.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A battery pack constructed in a structure inwhich a plurality of secondary battery cells are electrically connectedto one another via a connection member while the secondary battery cellsare mounted in a receiving part of a pack case having no partition,wherein the connection member is located between adjacent secondarybattery cells arranged in a longitudinal direction or in both thelongitudinal direction and a lateral direction, the connection member isconnected, in a mechanical coupling manner, to a lower electrodeterminal of a front secondary battery cell in the longitudinal directionor to an upper electrode terminal of a rear secondary battery cell inthe longitudinal direction, and the connection member is elasticallypressed while the connection member is located between the adjacentsecondary battery cells, an outermost perimeter of the connection memberfits within an outermost perimeter of the secondary battery cell, andthe connection member includes a coupling part coupled to a gasdischarge port formed at a cathode terminal of one of the front or rearsecondary battery cells, the cathode terminal being one of the upperelectrode terminal or the lower electrode terminal, the coupling partbeing formed within the outermost perimeter of the connection membersuch that the coupling part extends inside said gas discharge port toprovide an electrical connection and a mechanical coupling.
 2. Thebattery pack according to claim 1, wherein the connection member isconnected to one of the upper electrode terminal or the lower electrodeterminal in a mechanical coupling manner and is connected to the otherof the upper electrode terminal or lower electrode terminal in aphysical contact manner.
 3. The battery pack according to claim 2,wherein the connection member is connected to the cathode terminal ofthe one of the upper electrode terminal or the lower electrode terminalin the mechanical coupling manner and is connected to an anode terminalof the other of the upper electrode terminal or the lower electrodeterminal in the physical contact manner.
 4. The battery pack accordingto claim 1, wherein the coupling part elastically protrudes from a mainbody of the connection member.
 5. The battery pack according to claim 1,wherein the connection member includes one or more auxiliary connectionparts connected to the electrode terminal(s) of one or both front andrear secondary battery cells while being elastically pressed atregion(s) where the one or more auxiliary connection parts are connectedin a physical contact manner.
 6. The battery pack according to claim 1,wherein the secondary battery cells are cylindrical battery cells.
 7. Alaptop computer including a battery pack according to claim 1 as a powersource.
 8. A connection member for electrically connecting a pluralityof secondary battery cells, wherein the connection member is configuredto be located between adjacent secondary battery cells arranged in alongitudinal direction or in both the longitudinal direction and alateral direction, the connection member is configured to be connected,in a mechanical coupling manner, to a lower electrode terminal of afront secondary battery cell in the longitudinal direction or to anupper electrode terminal of a rear secondary battery cell in thelongitudinal direction, and the connection member is configured to beelastically pressed while the connection member is located between theadjacent secondary battery cells, an outermost perimeter of theconnection member fits within an outermost perimeter of the secondarybattery cell, and the connection member includes a coupling partconfigured to be coupled to a gas discharge port formed at a cathodeterminal of one of the front or rear secondary battery cells, thecathode terminal being one of the upper electrode terminal or the lowerelectrode terminal, the coupling part being formed within the outermostperimeter of the connection member such that the coupling part isconfigured to extend inside said gas discharge port to provide anelectrical connection and a mechanical coupling.
 9. The connectionmember according to claim 8, wherein the connection member comprises aterminal connection unit for connecting the adjacent secondary batterycells arranged in the longitudinal direction in series to each other,the terminal connection unit comprising: (a) an outer circumferentialconnection part configured to correspond to the external shape of theupper electrode terminal of the rear secondary battery cell, the outercircumferential connection part contacting the upper electrode terminalof the rear secondary battery cell at a region adjacent to the outercircumference of the upper electrode terminal of the rear secondarybattery, the outer circumferential connection part having apredetermined width; (b) upward protruding parts tapered upward from theouter circumferential connection part toward a central axis of theterminal connection unit for elastically supporting the front secondarybattery cell; and (c) protruding coupling parts connected to therespective upward protruding parts in a bridge structure, the protrudingcoupling parts protruding such that the protruding coupling parts can beelastically coupled to a predetermined region of the front secondarybattery cell.
 10. The connection member according to claim 9, whereinthe terminal connection unit further comprises: a plurality of auxiliaryconnection parts tapered downward or upward from the inside of the outercircumferential connection part.
 11. The connection member according toclaim 8, wherein the connection member comprises a terminal connectionunit for connecting the adjacent secondary battery cells arranged in thelongitudinal direction in series to each other, the terminal connectionunit comprising: (a) an outer circumferential connection part configuredto correspond to the external shape of the upper electrode terminal ofthe rear secondary battery cell, the outer circumferential connectionpart contacting the upper electrode terminal of the rear secondarybattery cell at a region adjacent to the outer circumference of theupper electrode terminal, the outer circumferential connection parthaving a predetermined width; (b) upward protruding parts tapered upwardfrom the outer circumferential connection part toward a central axis ofthe terminal connection unit for elastically supporting the frontsecondary battery cell; and (c) protruding coupling parts protrudingfrom the respective upward protruding parts to a predetermined heightsuch that the protruding coupling parts can be coupled to the lowerelectrode terminal of the front secondary battery cell.
 12. Theconnection member according to claim 11, wherein the terminal connectionunit further comprises: a central connection part disposed on thecentral axis of the terminal connection unit such that the centralconnection part is depressed to a predetermined depth from theprotruding coupling parts, the central connection part contacting thelower electrode terminal of the front secondary battery cell.
 13. Theconnection member according to claim 12, wherein the protruding couplingparts are constructed in a structure in which two or more bridgesconnecting the upward protruding parts and the central connection partare arranged in a symmetrical fashion.
 14. The connection memberaccording to any one of claims 9 and 11, wherein two or more terminalconnection units are connected to each other to simultaneously achievethe connection in series between the adjacent secondary battery cellsarranged in the longitudinal direction and the connection in parallelbetween adjacent secondary battery cells arranged in the lateraldirection.
 15. The connection member according to any one of claims 9and 11, wherein the outer circumferential connection part is furtherprovided at the outer circumference thereof with one or more downwardextensions constructed in a structure to partially cover an upper-endside of the rear secondary battery cell.
 16. The connection memberaccording to any one of claims 9 and 11, wherein the terminal connectionunit is provided at one side thereof with a circuit connection terminalpart.
 17. A second connection member used together with the connectionmember according to claim 8 to achieve the electrical connection in abattery pack, wherein the second connection member comprises terminalconnection units for electrically connecting two or more secondarybattery cells arranged in the lateral direction in a physical contactmanner, each of the terminal connection units of the second connectionmember comprising: (a) an outer circumferential connection partconfigured to correspond to the external shape of an electrode terminalof the corresponding secondary battery cell, the outer circumferentialconnection part contacting the electrode terminal of the correspondingsecondary battery cell at a region adjacent to the outer circumferenceof the electrode terminal of the corresponding secondary battery cell,the outer circumferential connection part having a predetermined width;and (b) upward protruding parts tapered upward from the outercircumferential connection part toward a central axis of each terminalconnection unit for elastically supporting the corresponding secondarybattery cell, the terminal connection units being electrically connectedto each other in correspondence to the number of the secondary batterycells arranged in the lateral direction, each of the terminal connectionunits being provided at one side thereof with a circuit connectionterminal part.
 18. A battery pack constructed in a structure in which aconnection member according to claim 8 is mounted between electrodeterminals of the adjacent secondary battery cells to achieve theelectrical connection between the adjacent secondary battery cells. 19.A laptop computer including a battery pack according to claim 18 as apower source.
 20. A battery pack constructed in a structure in which aplurality of secondary battery cells are electrically connected to oneanother via a connection member while the secondary battery cells aremounted in a receiving part of a pack case having no partition, whereinthe connection member is located between adjacent secondary batterycells arranged in a longitudinal direction or in both the longitudinaldirection and a lateral direction, the connection member is connected,in a mechanical coupling manner, to a lower electrode terminal of afront secondary battery cell in the longitudinal direction and to anupper electrode terminal of a rear secondary battery cell in thelongitudinal direction, and the connection member is elastically pressedby the lower electrode terminal and the upper electrode terminal whilethe connection member is located between the adjacent secondary batterycells, an outermost perimeter of the connection member fits within anoutermost perimeter of the secondary battery cell, the connection memberincludes a coupling part coupled to a gas discharge port formed at acathode terminal of one of the front or rear secondary battery cells,the cathode terminal being one of the upper electrode terminal or thelower electrode terminal, the coupling part being formed within theoutermost perimeter of the connection member such that it extendstowards the gas discharge port, and wherein the coupling part extendsinside said gas discharge port to provide an electrical connection and amechanical coupling.
 21. The connection member of claim 1, wherein theoutermost perimeter of the secondary battery cell is a diameter of thesecondary battery cell.